For Growers – Mayne Island CSA + Farm Collective Pilot

A Fresh Approach to Selling Locally Grown Food — Together
We’re piloting a new model in summer 2025 that combines the best aspects of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) with the cooperative spirit of a Farm Collective—designed specifically for Mayne Island farmers, growers, and food producers.

This isn’t a traditional CSA model--and that’s intentional. Because we’re launching mid-season, and because every grower has different capacities, this flexible hybrid approach allows us to test systems, build momentum, and grow together toward a more robust local food economy in 2026 and beyond.

Inspired by proven models in the Fraser Valley and other farming regions of BC, our goal is to create something grounded in Mayne’s unique landscape and community.

🔍 Tell us what you think:
Please take a moment to fill out the short Growers Survey 
​so we can include your voice in shaping this pilot and future plans.
👉 Take the Growers Survey

Why Participate as a Grower?
This pilot program was designed based on your feedback. During roundtable discussions, Mayne Island growers shared a number of common pain points:

• Shortage of reliable farm labour
• Theft from unattended farm stands
• Time and energy lost to marketing and off-farm work
• Financial uncertainty from week to week

We heard you—and this CSA + Growers Collective pilot 
is a response to those needs!

✅ Sell out of what you’re growing.
You’ll get paid each week for the items you contribute, at your full asking price. Whether you provide one product or ten, this offers a more predictable income stream than relying on farm stand foot traffic alone, especially after this trial season.

✅ Shared Sales Channel = Less Marketing, Less Stress
We pool our offerings and market collectively under the Mayne Island Growers banner, reducing your individual burden. A central booth at the Mayne Island Farmers Market will serve as the hub for CSA pick-up and market sales and a place where your produce can reach more customers, even if you’re not at the market every week.

✅ Collaborative Crop Planning
This model opens the door for co-planning with other farmers. It reduces overlap, increases diversity, and shares risk—all while filling the needs of local eaters and visitors alike.

✅ No Hidden Costs
You set your prices, and you get paid accordingly. We don’t operate on a wholesale model or take commission cuts. We aim to keep the administrative overhead minimal and transparent.

✅ Reduced Theft Risk
By lowering the need for unattended stands, this model helps reduce losses due to theft, a concern raised frequently in community feedback.
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✅ Grow at Your Own Scale
This pilot is intentionally low-barrier. You don’t need to commit to a full season or restructure your operation. Even a small weekly or once-a-season contribution adds value and visibility.

How It Works: The 2025 CSA + Growers Collective Pilot
🛒 Growers Table at the Farmers Market
Every Saturday at the Mayne Island Farmers Market, a Growers table (or tables) will be set up to:

• Display a variety of seasonal items from participating growers
• Offer “market-style” CSA: members pick a set number of items for a fixed fee based on what’s available that week. Weekly ‘boxes’ can vary in quantity/price, per member household size such as Single, Couple, sm.Family, lg.Family. 
• Visitors can also purchase single items.
• Act as a promotional amplifier for your farm (via signage, bios, and cross-promotion)

🧺 Member Purchasing Process

• No pre-payment or full-season sign-up required in 2025
• Members opt in weekly via an online form or on-site sign-up
• Fixed pricing structure allows predictability, with slight weekly adjustments based on item availability

💵 Farmer Payment

• You deliver your products by Saturday morning (or coordinate with the CSA lead for pick-up)
• You get paid the following week based on exactly what was sold
• Unsold items can be returned to you, donated to the Food Bank (with a tax receipt), or processed in the community kitchen (for value-added items)

🧾 Tracking & Logistics

• A shared digital tool (e.g. Google Sheets or Airtable) tracks inventory, sales, and member feedback
• A CSA Coordinator manages setup, sales, and end-of-day reconciliation—with support from rotating farmer volunteers

♻️ Packaging

• Members are encouraged to bring their own bags
• Compostable paper bags are available for drop-ins
• We’re also exploring shared sticker or label options for brand recognition: “Grown on Mayne by __________”​
  

​Why This Model?
This CSA + Growers Collective Market Table structure has been used successfully for decades in the Fraser Valley and other Agricultural regions of BC. It has been demonstrated that small-scale producers can thrive when they band together for sales, distribution, and outreach without losing their farm identity or autonomy.
We’re building toward something long-term, but keeping it simple this first year. The pilot is all about learning, experimenting, and collecting feedback to co-create a sustainable food system model for 2026.

Be Part of the Future of Food Security on Mayne
The Mayne Island Growers CSA supports the Agricultural Society’s mission of fostering:

• Sustainable local agriculture
• Community food security
• Agricultural education for youth and volunteers
• Resilient food systems and networks

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🔍 Tell us what you think:
Please take a moment to fill out the short Growers Survey so we can include your voice in shaping this pilot and future plans.
👉 Take the Growers Survey
📩 Have questions? Contact us directly